Allah
الله - The One, The Eternal, The Absolute
The sole deity in Islam, utterly transcendent yet intimately near. Creator and Sustainer of all existence, beyond all comparison, possessing absolute perfection in all attributes.
Core Attributes - Tawhid
The Nature of Allah
Tawhid (absolute monotheism) is the cornerstone of Islamic theology. Allah is One in essence, attributes, and worship. He has no partners, equals, parents, or offspring. He is eternal (no beginning), everlasting (no end), self-sufficient (needs nothing), and unlike anything in creation.
Key Theological Principles:
- Transcendence (Tanzih): Allah is utterly beyond creation, incomparable to anything that exists
- Immanence: Despite transcendence, Allah is nearer to each person than their jugular vein (Quran 50:16)
- No Anthropomorphism: Allah is not bound by physical form, location, or time
- Perfect Attributes: All of Allah's attributes are perfect and without deficiency
- Divine Will: Everything that occurs is by Allah's permission and decree (Qadr)
- Mercy Above All: "My mercy encompasses all things" (Quran 7:156)
"Say: He is Allah, the One. Allah, the Eternal Refuge. He neither begets nor is born, nor is there to Him any equivalent." - Quran 112:1-4 (Surah Al-Ikhlas)
The 99 Beautiful Names (Asma al-Husna)
Allah has 99 names mentioned in Islamic tradition, each revealing a different aspect of His perfect nature. The Prophet Muhammad said: "Allah has ninety-nine names, one hundred minus one. Whoever knows them will enter Paradise." (Sahih Bukhari)
Note: There exists a 100th name known only to Allah Himself, or to those to whom He reveals it through spiritual unveiling (kashf).
Worship & Relationship with Creation
How to Approach Allah
- Salah (Prayer): Five daily prayers are the pillar of worship
- Dhikr (Remembrance): Constant remembrance of Allah through His names and phrases
- Du'a (Supplication): Personal prayer and requests made directly to Allah
- Tawbah (Repentance): Sincere turning away from sin and returning to Allah
- Tawakkul (Trust): Complete reliance on Allah while taking appropriate action
- Ihsan (Excellence): Worshipping Allah as if you see Him; knowing He sees you
The Opening (Al-Fatiha) - Most Recited Prayer
In the name of Allah, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful.
All praise is for Allah—Lord of all worlds,
the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful,
Master of the Day of Judgment.
You alone we worship. You alone we ask for help.
Guide us along the Straight Path—
the path of those You have blessed, not those You are displeased with, or those who are astray.
- Quran 1:1-7
Sources
- Quran - Complete text, especially Surah Al-Ikhlas (112), Ayat al-Kursi (2:255)
- Sahih Bukhari & Sahih Muslim - Hadith on the 99 Names
- Al-Ghazali - "The Ninety-Nine Beautiful Names of God" (Al-Maqsad al-Asna)
- Ibn Arabi - "The Bezels of Wisdom" on divine attributes
- Tafsir Ibn Kathir - Classical Quranic commentary
Related Across the Mythos
Tawhid
Absolute Monotheism
Oneness of Allah
Salat
Five daily prayers